Newspaper accounting mechanism



Jan. 17, 1967 v OLBUCKE ETAL 3,298,605

Filed June 24, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGI ATT'YS Jan. 17, 1967 0. B KE TAL 3,298,605

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTING MECHANISM Filed June 24, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORS LYNN O. BUCKE LEROY K. WALSH ATT'YS ited States Patent G 3,298,605 NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTING MECHANISM Lynn 0. Bucks, Chicago, and Le Roy K. Walsh, Arlington Heights, 111., assignors to Field Enterprises, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 24, 1965, Ser. No. 466,791 3 Claims. (Cl. 235-98) This invention relates to a newspaper accounting mechanism and, more particularly, to a mechanism adapted to quickly ascertain the number of folded, aligned newspapers in a bundle as they pass from the stacker to a tieing mechanism.

The handling of newspapers by large metropolitan dailies is well-known. The folded papers move at high speed into a stacker, where stacks ranging from generally about'25 to about 100 papers (depending upon the number of pages of the given edition), are established after which the thus established stacks are bundled, i.e., tied. At this point, they are ready for mailing or truck delivery to various newsstands and vendors. Although expedients have been employed in the past to determine the actual number of newspapers entering the stacker, the continuing complaints of short counts in bundles by the drivers and the newsstand operators, makes it imperative to have an exact count of the papers in each bundle at the last possible instanti.e., just before the bundle is completedas by tieing At this particular point in the ordinary newspaper operation, bundles are quite sizeable and are being produced at a relatively rapid rate, so that complicated machinery has to be avoided The instant invention solves the above problem without interferring with the smooth flow of newspaper bundles and the provision of such a mechanism constitutes an important object of the invention. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a mechanism for reporting the number of papers in a bundle or vertical stack so as to warn an operator that deviation from a prescribed norm has occurred and at a time in the production of newspapers where such deviation can be readily and quickly corrected.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the details of construction and operation set down in this specification.

The invention is explained in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which 7 FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially broken away, of apparatus embodying teachings of this invention and installed in an operating environment;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective View of the parts in the central upper portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded enlarged fragmentary perspective view of certain components of the mechanism including the contact plate shown at the extreme right in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of one of the contacts illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlargement of one of the details of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view such as would be seen along the sight line 6-6 applied to FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a reporting device associated with the mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the connections for a given set of contacts associated with one of the plurality of contact elements seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9 is an additional schematic wiring diagram 3,298,665 Patented Jan. 17, 1967 showing a sub-circuit associated with each one of the contacts of FIG. 8.

In the illustration given and with particular reference to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 designates generally a frame which is seen to be a superstructure carried by side channels 11 and 12 of a generally horizontally extending conveyor 13. The conveyor 13 in the illustration given conducts a stack 14 of folded newspapers from a stacking machine (not shown) to a tieing machine (also not shown). Depending upon the particular installation, stacks 14 may be advanced on the powerized conveyor 13 at the rate of about 20 per minute. Thus, any measuring operation to be performed on a stack must occur rather quickly, at least less than 3 seconds. Before going into the details of how the mechanism counts the newspapers, a generalized operational sequence will be given.

Operation in general The invention makes use of an air loaded ram or plunger generally designated 15 (see FIG. 2) to compress the central portion of the stack. The plunger mechanism 15 carries a plurality of contact elements as at 16 (still referring to FIG. 2). For any given addition, only one particular contact element will be employed such as the element designated 16a in FIG. 3. As the contact element 16a proceeds downwardly with the plunger 17, it ultimately comes into contact with the uppermost contact 18 of a series of seven vertically aligned contacts. If the plunger 17 stops with the contact element 16a and contact with the contact 18 (see FIG. 3), the bulb 19 (see FIG. 7) goes on indicating that the stack has three papers too many. If the plunger stops with the contact element 16a in contact with the contact 18, a colored bulb (see FIG. 7) goes on indicating that the count is correct. From this, it will be appreciated that contacts 18a and 18b along with lights 19a and 1% correspond respectively, to reports of two papers too many and one paper too many while the contacts 18d, 18e, 18 and the associated light bulbs 19d, 19c and 19f represent undersized stacks by 1, 2 and 3 papers, respectively. It will be appreciated that a greater or lesser number of reporting units may be employed, but for practical purposes, it has been found that the stacks seldom, if ever, vary from a predetermined norm by more than three papers.

Ram supporting structure The details of the ram supporting structure can be seen in FIG. 1 where the frame 10 is positioned astride the path of travel of the stack 14. It will be appreciated the frame 10 may be provided as part of the stacker itself. Inasmuch as compression of the stack is employed to develop a report of the number of papers contained therein, it will be appreciated that a substantial base is indicated. In other words, the deflectability under load of the channels 11 is less than the thickness of a given newspaper. The frame 10 includes a generally U-shaped 'bracket 20 (see also FIG. 6) which carries the ram 15. The ram 15 is equipped with the usual elongated casing 21 (see FIG. 2) and at its upper end is equipped with a flow fitting for pressure fluid as at 22. Compressed air, for example, can be delivered through the flexible conduit 23 to the fitting 22, so as to expend the plunger 17 into compressive and contracting relation with the top central portion of the stack 14. The casing 21 is equipped with an enlarged head as at 24 (see also FIG. 6) which is boltably secured as at 25 to the bracket 20. The piston rod 26 (see FIG. 2) is equipped with a mounting block 27 in which is mounted the plunger 17.

For this purpose, the block 27 is equipped with a bore 28 (see FIG. 6) into which extends a set screw 29. Thus,

the plunger is replaceable and in the event there is a substantial change in the height of the subsequent stack of papers (corresponding to a different edition), a different length plunger 17 may be readily inserted into the bore 28. Ordinarily, however, differences in the predetermined height of a stack of the correct number of newspapers can be achieved by utilizing a different set of contacts, i.e., the set of seven contacts generally designated 18', 18", etc., in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 3 and also in FIG. 1, the spacing between adjacent vertically related contacts changes so as to permit measurement of the number of papers in different over-all height stacks. The selection of a particular set of contacts is determined 'by means of a switching mechanism generally designated (see FIG. 1) and which is schematically represented at 30 in FIG. 8.

Contact element structure Reference has been made to the various contact elements 16 (see particularly FIG. 2) which are employed to develop a sensible signal corresponding to the number of papers in a given stack 14. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a plurality of contacts 16 are provided, one for each of the vertically aligned sets of contacts 18, 18", etc. A conduit 31 for each contact element 16 is provided from a multi-conductor cable 32 (still referring to FIG. 3). Reference to FIG. 8 shows that the contact 16a is coupled to one power line L1 and is adapted to make successive contact with one of the contacts 1818;f depending upon the size of the stack. The contacts 16 are riveted to an insulating plate 33 by means of rivet 34 (see FIG. 4) and the plate 33 is equipped with an elongated slot 35 which receives a cap screw 36 (see FIG. 2) for anchoring the same against the block 27. Thus, the plate 33 moves with the plunger 17 and causes a given contact 16 to contact at least one contact 18. As seen in FIG. 6 the plate 33 is mounted for vertical movement within grooves or Ways 37 provided in a bracket generally designated 38 and which is boltably secured as at 39 to the enlarged head 24. Thus, the bracket 38 is rigid with the superstructure and provides a mounting for the plate'40 (see FIG. 3) which carries the various contacts 18', 18", etc. Conductors 41 run from the various contacts 18 into multi-conductor cable 42 (see FIG. 1) and after passing through various switches and relays, deliver signal information to one of the various light bulbs 19-19 of FIG. 7. The method in which the sensing of the stack height by the plunger 17 is reported to the light bulbs 19-19f will now be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Reporting circuitry The principle used herein is that there must be a predetermined dwell time of contact between the contact element 16a and a given contact 18-18) for a signal to be registered by one of the light bulbs 19-191. In other words, with a correct height stack, only light bulb 19c will become illuminated notwithstanding the fact that the contact element 16a carrying current from line L1 has been in contact during the downward movement of the plunger 17 with contacts 18, 18a,'and 18b. Each of these contact times, however, is quite transitory and further, has been erased by virtue of contact with a subsequent contact.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the element designated 16a in the extreme upper lefthand portion corresponds to the contact element 1611 which is mounted for vertical movement. Should this element stop in a position where it is in contact only with the contact 18 (the uppermost contact of the set of seven in FIG. 8) current flows from line L1 to line L2 through a time delay relay 43. The circuit from L1 to L2 is completed through six different relay contacts 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 and 49, each of which is of the normally closed variety. In addition, for current to flow from L1 to L2, it also must flow through the multi-position switch 30. Here, it will be appreciated that if the switch 30 is positioned other than as shown,

it will energize a different set of seven contacts, as at 18' for which a similar relay-equipped circuit such as that seen in FIG. 8 is provided. In other words, in FIG. 3, there are seventeen different contact elements 16 shown and seventeen sets of contacts 18', etc. Of these, sixteen are used for different sized stacks with the remaining set being used for zero adjustment. Thus, there will be sixteen circuits identical to that shown in FIG. 8, one for each of the set of contacts 18, etc. The particular circuit used is thus a function of a setting of the switch 30. The total number of contacts referred to as No. 16 can be increased or decreased depending as to degree of response decided.

After the current has flowed through the relay coil 43, a discrete time, the time delay relay will result in closing the normally open contact 50 so as to deliver current to the line 51. The line 51 is also seen in FIG. 9 and when the relay contacts 50 are closed conducts current from L2 through a relay coil 52 (see FIG. 9) and normally closed relay contacts to L1. At the same time, current will flow through the bulb 19 causing the same to light and through the line 54 carrying bell 55 which is arranged in parallel With the lamp 19. Thus, both an audible and a visual signal is provided. The light 19 indicates to the operator that there are three too many papers in the stack 14. The energization of the relay coil 52 results in delivering electrical current to a solenoid actuated valve V which removes the pressure from the ram 15 causing the plunger 17 to rise. This is done through closing the relay contact 56. Simultaneously, the relay 52 opens the contacts 57 so as to remove power from the valve V responsible for delivering pressure fluid to the plunger 15. Also shown in the circuit and designated 58 is a momentary pushbutton which may be actuated by the location of the stack 14 to initiate a sensing sequence. The third contact 59 closed by the relay 52 insures a connection between lines L1 and L2 via line 60 when the basic connection through contact element 16a is broken. Here, it will be appreciated that the plunger 17 is retracted substantially instantaneously after the time delay relay 43 has closed the contact 50-by virtue of delivering current to the relay 42 which thereupon closes the contact 56 to the up valve. For the signal developed in the elements 19 or 55 to be sensible duration, the contact 59 takes over when the contact element 16a is retracted. The signaling persists until a second time delay relay 61 is actuated to open the normally closed contact 53 and thus break the line between L1 and L2.

In the event the stack 14 has, for example, only two more papers than the predetermined number, the contact 16a will not stop at the contact 18 (see FIG. 8) but will pass on for engagement with contact 18a. As soon as the contact element 16a engages the contact 18a, current from line L1 flows to line L2 through a pair of branch lines 62 and 63. The line 63 has incorporated therein a time delay relay 64 which operates in a fashion similar to the time delay relay 43 already described with reference to the contact 18. In other words, a discrete time after current has started flowing in the time delay relay 64, the contact 65 thereof is closed so as to deliver current from line L2 through line 51a to a sub-circuit identical to that shown in FIG. 9. The circuit in FIG. 9 is the sub-circuit associated with the line 51 which in turn is associated with the time delay relay 43 associated with 18cthe correct count contact.

16a, there is also an energization of relay 66this being substantially instantaneous with the engagement of elements 16a and 18a. The actuation of relay 66 opens the normally closed contact 44 to the dotted line position shown and this prevents any current flow in the line 51, notwithstanding the fact that the contact 50 may be closed by energization of the time delay relay 43. In this fashion, we erase a signal that may be applied to a contact 18 above the contact 18a and thus avoid the need for extremely close tolerances in spacing. It will be appreciated that there is some variation in the caliper of the newsprint paper and the provision of a second relay with each one of the time delay relays associated with the contacts 18a-18f avoids the need for having to make pinpoint contact with any given contact 18a18f.

Carrying the operational description one step further, when the contact element 16a engages the contact 18b, a relay 67 is energized to open the contacts 45 and thus eliminate the possibility that current from L2 will flow either to line 51 or to line 51a while only flowing to line 51b by virtue of the closure of contact resulting from the actuation of time delay relays 69. Again, the line 51b leads to a sub-circuit generally of the nature designated 69 (see FIG. 9).

Each one of the contacts 18c-18f is seen to be equipped with a time delay relay designated respectively 70d, 70e and 70 Likewise, each contact 18c-18f is equipped with a regular relay as at 71c, 71d, 71e, 71 for opening, respectively, the contacts 4649. The actuation of the time delay relay 70c70f results in current flowing in the respective line associated therewith 51c-51f. Thus, in the illustration given, for any given stack, there are seven circuits, one for each of the contacts 1818f with each circuit having a sub-circuit 69 associated therewith. In most metropolitan dailies, the stacks fall into one of a variety ofsizes. For example, the usual addition may range from 25 to 100 papers. By providing 16 different sets of contacts 18', we have provided a sensing system for the most commonly employed stack arrangements. When the stack arrangement changes from say 70 copies of a 40-page paper to 44 copies of a 75-page paper, the operator only needs to change the setting of the switch 30 to the setting designated with the information corresponding to the new edition. For stacks having compressed heights other than those provided for in the sixteen settings referred to, the operator can modify a given setting by the use of a different plunger insert 17.

As mentioned previously, one of the sets of contacts 18', etc., is used for a zeroing adjustment. Thus, when 60 p.s.i. compressed air is used, the plate 33 is adjusted by virtue of loosening and tightening the cap screw 36, so that when the stack contains the right number of papers, the contact 182. (in horizontal line with the contact 180) will be engaged by the contact 16z. In fact, all of the contacts between 180 and 18z (in the horizontal roll seen in FIG. 3) will be contacted by their associated contact element 16. This can provide a signal through the line 41z to an appropriate reporting device to indicate that the apparatus is properly calibrated.

While in the foregoing specification, a detailed embodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose of illustration, many variations in the details herein given may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A device for indicating the number of folded newspapers, relative to a predetermined number, which are in a stack of newspapers, comprising: a frame, conveyor means on said frame for advancing a stack of folded newspapers, means on said frame above said conveyor for applying a predetermined pressure on the central top of said stack to compress said stack, and means responsive to said pressure-applying means for indicating the position of said pressure-applying means to report the variance of the number of newspapers in said stack from a predetermined number.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said pressure-applying means includes a ram having a stationary part and a movable part, a plate on each of said parts with each plate having thereon a plurality of sets of contacts with a plurality of contacts in each set, said plates being arranged and interconnected electrically to give only a single signal to said responsive means for any given height of a compressed stack.

3. A method for indicating the number of folded newspapers, relative to a predetermined number, which are in a stack of newspapers, comprising: advancing said stack to an indicating position, applying a predetermined pressure to the central top of said stack to compress said stack, sensing the thickness of said stack, and reporting the same electrically in terms of a predetermined number of newspapers to ascertain the variance of the number of newspapers therefrom.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 354,508 12/1886 Fraleigh 340-244 992,926 5/1911 Updegraff 33-174 2,026,284 12/ 1935 Metternich 93-93 2,047,408 7/ 1936 Emery et a1 33 172 2,579,569 12/1951 Hauck et a1. 33174 3,118,232 1/1964 Hartsock 23561 X 3,174,686 3/1965 Carlen 235-985 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,111,276 2/ 1956 France.

STEPHEN J. TOMSKY, Primary Examiner. LEO SMILOW, RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Examiners. C. G. COVELL, J. G. MURRAY, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A DEVICE FOR INDICATING THE NUMBER OF FOLDED NEWSPAPERS, RELATIVE TO A PREDETERMINED NUMBER, WHICH ARE IN A STACK OF NEWSPAPERS, COMPRISING: A FRAME, CONVEYOR MEANS ON SAID FRAME FOR ADVANCING A STACK OF FOLDED NEWSPAPERS, MEANS ON SAID FRAME ABOVE SAID CONVEYOR FOR APPLYING A PREDETERMINED PRESSURE ON THE CENTRAL TOP OF SAID STACK TO COMPRESS SAID STACK, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID PRESSURE-APPLYING MEANS FOR INDICATING THE POSITION OF SAID PRESSURE-APPLYING MEANS TO REPORT THE 